Awareness and Information Sources of Hypertensive Diseases Among Aged Civil Servants in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

This article describes a study which investigates the awareness and information sources of hypertensive diseases among aged civil servants in Southwest, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and the study focused on aged civil servants in south western Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. The instruments used to obtain information from respondents was a questionnaire, divided into seven sections with respect to the objectives of the study. The psychometric properties of the instrument were also determined. The information obtained was subjected to analysis using the descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that aged civil servants in the three selected states in south-western Nigeria have a high personal concern for hypertensive disease. Interventional strategies to curtail hypertensive diseases among aged civil servants are low. In addition, governments failed to provide necessary amenities and also do not pay salaries promptly for staff. To this end, aged civil servants seek medical care and services by themselves and in most cases, they do not give attention to such health needs. This can lead to a high tendency for the prevalence of hypertensive diseases. The study recommends that apart from paying salaries promptly, governments should provide interventional strategies such as providing better information through media, conducting workshops and seminars, providing health related teachings, among others for civil servants in south western Nigeria. This could increase the awareness of hypertensive disease and also of the various sources of care available for them.